Friendly libraries funded by Room to Read, a non-governmental organisation based in the US, in 22 primary schools in Vietnam have helped develop reading habit and life-long learning skills among local students since they were established in early 2017.

In the southern province of Tay Ninh, ten libraries were formed in Duong Minh Chau and Hoa Thinh districts under an agreement signed by the provincial Department of Education and Training and the Room to Read organisation in the beginning of this year.

Local students have shown their excitement when visiting the libraries which offer not only books but also creative activities like painting.

Le Minh Tri, Principal of Truong Dong A Primary School in Truong Dong commune, Hoa Thanh district, said the model is a useful playground for students as the school, located in a rural area, does not have many entertainment activities for students.

With 4,375 book titles, the library can serve students from first to fifth grades, according to the principal.

Le Hoang Cuong, head of the primary education office under the provincial Department of Education and Training, said another 24 libraries have been formed in Tan Bien, Tan Chau, Chau Thanh and Ben Cau districts under the project in 2018.

Aware of the model’s efficiency, Tay Ninh is building nine libraries outside the project, he added.

According to the Primary Education Department under the Ministry of Education and Training, the model has helped build up reading habit for more than 83 percent of students in the project’s 12 beneficiary provinces, while improving their reading, writing and living skills.